[Al Skierkiewicz]

Well,
Now that everyone has bagged their robot using the official FRC bag and secure seal tag, you are good to go right? Not quite yet.
One of the biggest issues for inspectors every year with B&T is having teams produce the B&T forms. You should have filled this item out when you bagged the robot on Tuesday. Now is the time to make copies and insure that the original goes to someone who will be moving with the robot to competition. On a number of occasions, we have had teams with the form in the hands of a teacher who didn't travel with the team or the team captain who got the flu just before the competition. If you want to maximize your time on practice day, be sure to have the form handy when you arrive.

This year, the new rules will confuse some people. At this time, all robots must have two belay points on their chassis. It doesn't matter if you can't climb or intend to climb or even wish to climb, you must have them on the robot to pass inspection.

While there are a lot of motors on the allowed list this year, some past motors are no longer legal. Now is the time to check if your motors are on the allowed list and be prepared to change them at competition if they are not. Notably, the Globe motor and Fisher Price motors are no longer legal. The motors must be identifiable so no painting or other than allowed modifications are legal.

Bumpers...Every year this is a problem. We have gone to great lengths to simplify this. Bumpers must cover 8" of frame on either side of any exterior corner. Bumpers can be built after stop build, they do not count towards the 30lb allowance of parts to be carried in at competition.

First has tried to think of everything you might come up with in design and planned for that. However, you are really good and sometimes there are things that we didn't think of. The Q&A is your friend. If you thought of something, I bet someone else did too and already asked the question. If it was of some great importance, FRC also added it to a Team Update. Now is the time to check through both of these resources. Inspectors will have up to date lists of items that affect your robot construction. Each week they will be inspecting for these items. If needed, a revised inspection checklist (also available on the First website) will be issued.

That is all for this installment. Good Luck everyone.